Writing Excuses

Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler

Fifteen minutes long, because you're in a hurry, and we're not that smart.

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999 episodes
Updated July 26

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Episodes999

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Jun 2, 2008 · 15 min
Writing Excuses Episode 17: This Sucks and I’m a Horrible Writer
The Writing Excuses crew tackles writer's block again, this time approaching the "This Sucks And I'm A Horrible Writer" mindset. Dan relates his Neil Gaiman anecdote, Brandon explains why he'd written so many books before getting published,
May 26, 2008 · 15 min
Writing Excuses Episode 16: Butt In Chair, Hands On Keyboard
Howard kicks this off with his own sure-fire cure for Writers' Block, "BIC HOK:" Butt In Chair, Hands On Keyboard. The Writing Excuses team takes off from there, discussing the different kinds of Writers' Block, and how to overcome each of them.
May 19, 2008 · 15 min
Writing Excuses Episode 15: Costs and Ramifications of Magic
This week the Writing Excuses team discusses magic again, this time focusing on the cost of magic. Whether or not your magic system has internally-consistent rules your readers can follow (per Sanderson's First Law and last week's 'cast) you need to co...
May 12, 2008 · 15 min
Writing Excuses Episode 14: Magic Systems and their Rules
Does magic need rules? Sometimes yes and sometimes no; our intrepid podcasters talk about how to know which situation is which, and explore the pros and cons of each method. We'll also yak for a while about the differences between Superman and Gandalf,...
May 5, 2008 · 14 min
Writing Excuses Episode 13: Submitting to Editors Part 2
In part two of our chat with editor Stacy Whitman, we discuss more about how to interact with editors: how to approach them at cons, how to inquire about work you've already submitted, and how to butter them up by asking about their current projects.
Apr 28, 2008 · 15 min
Writing Excuses Episode 12: Submitting to Editors Part 1
This week, special guest Stacy Whitman joins us from Mirrorstone books (an imprint of Wizards of the Coast). Stacy works there as an editor, and helps us understand the submission process, including acting like a professional, doing your research,
Apr 21, 2008 · 16 min
Writing Excuses Episode 11: The Business of Writing
So... you're ready for the big-time. You're a writer, and the writing is almost paying the bills. Hurray! - Now, how do you balance your life so that you can make the jump to writing full-time? How do you manage your time?
Apr 14, 2008 · 15 min
Writing Excuses Episode 10: Pacing
Pacing... it's all about keeping the tension up, keeping things snappy, and keeping the reader interested. This week the Writing Excuses crew delivers some tips, tricks, and tools you can use to get your story flowing in all the right ways. - Also,
Apr 7, 2008 · 16 min
Writing Excuses Episode 9: Sci-Fi Sub-Genre
This week we continue our discussion on Science Fiction with a discussion of various Sub-genres, why they're different, and what you can do to make sure you know your audience. - Sub-genres covered: Space Opera, Military, Hard SF, and Cyberpunk. -
Mar 31, 2008 · 13 min
Writing Excuses Episode 8: Sci-Fi Genre
In the first of our series on genres, we discuss why people write Sci-Fi, what you need to know to write Sci-Fi, and how much we all love unicorns.
Mar 24, 2008 · 3 min
Writing Excuses Bonus Episode 2: Rules of Writing Excuses
If you're new to Writing Excuses, or if you're just curious about some of the terminology we use, let us break it down for you. These are the rules/tricks that we use to keep ourselves on task.
Mar 24, 2008 · 14 min
Writing Excuses Episode 7: Villains
Are flaws necessary for villains? What traits make for a really good (err... evil?) villain? What's the difference between Sauron and Gollum? ("That's the LAST time I send you out shopping for Gollums, son...") - Liner Notes: The Evil Overlord List,
Mar 17, 2008 · 16 min
Writing Excuses Episode 6: Flaws vs Handicaps
Is there a difference between the two? How do you use each appropriately in your writing? And how lovable can a group of mercenaries be?
Mar 10, 2008 · 7 min
Writing Excuses Bonus Episode 1: Remembering Gary Gygax
Brandon, Howard and Dan talk about their first exposure to RPG games, Gary Gygax and the influence he had on them and the industry.
Mar 10, 2008 · 15 min
Writing Excuses Episode 5: Heroes and Protagonists
What makes a good hero? Why is Dirk Pitt so cool? Why do people like Superman? And why does Howard-with-a-chest-cold start to sound like Barry White? Some of these questions are answered in this episode while others are better left unexplained. -
Mar 3, 2008 · 15 min
Writing Excuses Episode 4: Beginnings
The first line of any story is the most important. - People get drawn in to a book because of the first line. - Brandon, Howard and Dan talk about how to start a book and what's important about the first line.
Feb 25, 2008 · 16 min
Writing Excuses Episode 3: Killing your Darlings
How do you make your novel better? Sometimes you have to cut out the part you like best. Don't believe me? Before I posted this I had attached an image of a chimp wearing a tux. - Brandon's Deleted Scenes - Howard's Original Time-Travel Outline
Feb 18, 2008 · 14 min
Writing Excuses Episode 2: Blending the Familiar and the Original
How do you know when your setting of high school kids solve supernatural mysteries becomes cliché? Brandon, Howard and Dan discuss how you create unique concepts by blending familiar topics with something new and original and how to avoid possible pit...
Feb 11, 2008 · 17 min
Writing Excuses Episode 1: Brainstorming
Brandon, Howard and Dan discuss where their ideas come from and Howard tells us a little too much about his love of Pepsi. - wikidPad Home Page

Writing Excuses

Support the show

Writing Excuses Episode 17: This Sucks and I’m a Horrible Writer

Writing Excuses Episode 16: Butt In Chair, Hands On Keyboard

Writing Excuses Episode 15: Costs and Ramifications of Magic

Writing Excuses Episode 14: Magic Systems and their Rules

Writing Excuses Episode 13: Submitting to Editors Part 2

Writing Excuses Episode 12: Submitting to Editors Part 1

Writing Excuses Episode 11: The Business of Writing

Writing Excuses Episode 10: Pacing

Writing Excuses Episode 9: Sci-Fi Sub-Genre

Writing Excuses Episode 8: Sci-Fi Genre

Writing Excuses Bonus Episode 2: Rules of Writing Excuses

Writing Excuses Episode 7: Villains

Writing Excuses Episode 6: Flaws vs Handicaps

Writing Excuses Bonus Episode 1: Remembering Gary Gygax

Writing Excuses Episode 5: Heroes and Protagonists

Writing Excuses Episode 4: Beginnings

Writing Excuses Episode 3: Killing your Darlings

Writing Excuses Episode 2: Blending the Familiar and the Original

Writing Excuses Episode 1: Brainstorming